Cori McMillan eclipsed 50 career home runs as Hokies softball swept Longwood on Wednesday. (Virginia Tech athletics)

Hokies right fielder Cori McMillan did not know she was approaching 50 career home runs.

She and pitcher Emma Lemley were discussing how McMillan was approaching 200 career hits, but the home run milestone was not on her radar. After No. 14 Virginia Tech (25-5) completed its doubleheader sweep over Longwood on Wednesday — 10-0 and 7-1 wins — the Tech Softball Park scoreboard flashed a graphic celebrating the accomplishment, which she achieved with two homers in the nightcap.

“Growing up, when Jocelyn Alo hit her 100th, I had a joke that I was gonna hit more than her. I am a little off of that,” McMillan said. “But this is a big one, and I honestly never imagined accomplishing it — so it makes my childhood self smile.”

The senior’s most recent 34 home runs came at Virginia Tech, following 17 across two seasons at Radford.

“I couldn’t have done it without Coach Pete [D’Amour], the way he coaches, the confidence he has in me and what he’s done with my swing,” she said. “It just makes me really happy.”

Game 1: Virginia Tech 10, Longwood 0 (5 innings) 

Tech tallied four runs in the first frame and sixth in the second, then the two teams traded zeroes.

Two batters in, first baseman Michelle Chatfield tripled, scoring McMillan. Center fielder Bre Peck singled two batters later, which brought around Chatfield. At the end of the frame, designated player Emily LeGette hit a two-run single, which scored third baseman Jordan Lynch and Peck.

In the second, Jayden Jones homered — her fourth blast of the season. Peck scored McMillan with a single. Then catcher Zoe Yaeger doubled to bring around second baseman Rachel Castine. Lynch scored pinch runner Lyla Blackwell on a sacrifice fly before LeGette knocked a two-run shot for good measure.

Emma Mazzarone tossed the first four innings for Tech, allowing two hits and one walk; she shut out the Lancers (6-21) while striking out five. Cassie Grizzard relieved her for the fifth with a 10-run lead and shut down Longwood in order, collecting one strikeout in the process.

Longwood did not share Virginia Tech’s pitching success. Er’ron Burton lasted 1 ⅓ innings, allowing seven hits, eight runs — all earned — and two walks. Cierra Gawryluk went the final 2 ⅔ innings and limited the Hokies to three hits and two runs.

The Hokies hit 6-for-12 with runners on base, including 6-for-11 with them in scoring position.

After their Wednesday wins, Cori McMillan and the Hokies are off for nine days until Stanford comes to town. (Virginia Tech athletics)

Game 2: Virginia Tech 7, Longwood 1

Longwood tied the game at one run apiece in the third, but Tech roared back to score six unanswered and reclaim control.

The Hokies did not have as many opportunities with runners on base as in the previous game, but they did not need it. Though they went 3-for-9 with runners on, they hit four solo home runs.

McMillan took the first pitch she saw at the start of the game into a tree in left center field to give Tech a 1-0 lead and herself 50 career bombs. She hit another in the fifth for an insurance run.

Though she accounted for much of it, McMillan was not all of the Hokies’ offense. Castine hit a sacrifice fly in the third, scoring McMillan. Following McMillan’s second homer, Castine hit another single to plate Chatfield.

The sixth frame brought three more insurance runs. First, catcher Kylie Aldridge homered. One pitch later, LeGette did the same. Four batters later, Chatfield singled and scored shortstop Annika Rohs.

LeGette accounted for two homers on Wednesday, tripling her season count. Across the two games, she went 3-for-5. 

“[The mindset was to] catch a barrel,” LeGette said. “Not much to it. Get a good pitch, catch a barrel and hope for the best.”

LeGette attributed her success to the team’s focus on preparation in recent practices.

“One of our mental coaches, Jason [Kuhn], said, ‘In moments like this, rely on your preparation,’” she said. “I think we prepared good this past week, and I was just seeing the ball.”

Mazzarone started in the designated player position in the second game but departed in the middle of her first at-bat. She swung at and missed a pitch, then fell. She spent a few moments with trainers, jogged a bit down the first base line and left the game.

D’Amour said Mazzarone sustained some form of leg injury and was visiting with a doctor after the game.

“She’s walking around, so we’ll see,” he said.

Virginia Tech will not play for nine days — until No. 17 Stanford makes the cross-country trek to Tech Softball Park. The Cardinal is currently 5-1 in conference play, which is tied with the Hokies and Cal for second place.

“We don’t prepare any differently from Longwood than Stanford,” D’Amour said. “It’s get your business done, and let’s go see what happens.”